In Memory of Rebecca Ford Ellis August 13, 1934 - August 13, 2010 Visitation: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 20, 2010 First Church of God, 230 Fosdick St., Cincinnati, OH 45219 Service: 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 20, 2010 First Church of God, 230 Fosdick St., Cincinnati, OH 45219 Rebecca Ford Ellis August 13, 1937 - August 13, 2010 Rebecca, the daughter of David and Lillian (Scott) Ford, was born on August 13, 1937 in Uniontown, Alabama. She was raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she graduated from Central High School. At a young age, Rebecca made the decision upon which all of her other decisions came to hinge. She acknowledged her need for Jesus Christ and confessed Him as Lord and Savior. She was called to preach at age thirteen and began a ministry which would last a lifetime. Rebecca attended Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana where she met and married Duke E. Ellis in 1957. They started their family in Ft. Wayne, IN, and later moved to the Cincinnati area where they raised five children. Her husband, Duke, passed away in June, 1982. Rebecca was one of the first black women to be ordained as a minister by the Church of God (Anderson, IN). She was known for her stirring, fiery sermons and for reaching people in unconventional places with the Word. Traveling as an Evangelist in the summers with her children, she held tent meetings in many cities. A visit to Jerusalem was one of the highlights of her travels. Rebecca enjoyed life, accepted change, and managed challenges with courage. Following a debilitating stroke, she moved to Hyde Park Health Center. She accepted her limitations with uncommon optimism and grace. She enjoyed gospel music, good food, and fellowship with others. Her memories of the past were as vivid as her more recent memories, and she could share delightful stories for hours. Rebecca went peacefully to be with her Lord, on August 13, 2010, following birthday visits from her children and grandchildren. Her family treasures the memories of her faithful love, which was rooted in Jesusƒ'€'™ faithful love for her. Rebecca was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Duke Ellis, her parents, David and Lillian Ford, and her brother, Greg. She will be interred at Covington Memorial Gardens in Ft. Wayne, IN, near her husband, mother and grandmother. Left to cherish her memory, are five children: Duke (Sylvia) of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Eric (Judy), Stephanie, and Wendell of Cincinnati, and George, currently in Germany. She is also survived by nine loving grandchildren: Duke III, Deon, and Cameron, of Fayetteville, North Carolina; Stephen, and Erica of Forest Park; Jillian, Eric II, Evan, and Ethan of West Chester, and a host of other relatives and friends. Rebecca believed that at death, the physical body returns to dust, and the soul of the believer is welcomed into heaven. Her prayer would be that each of you who read this would believe John 3:16, and if you haven't already, would receive the gift of eternal life. John 3:16: ƒ'€'œFor God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.ƒ'€'